Doc-Fai Wong Martial Arts Center

In today’s culture of 6 minute abs and 30 day transformations, the Doc Fai Wong Martial Arts Center is a throwback to days past where hard work over a long period of time yields results that last a lifetime. Nobody said learning kung fu was easy and no one ever said it was fast. But if you want real authentic training you must find a great teacher and it doesn’t get any better than with Grandmaster Doc Fai Wong.
Located in San Francisco’s beautiful Sunset District, the school specializes in teaching kung fu and tai chi for health and self defense. You’ll learn from some of the most dedicated and enthusiastic instructors that you could find anywhere. They work well with children and adults alike. You’ll learn some new skills, get into better shape, and maybe even learn a few life lessons along the way.
Oh, and there’s a muni stop just a block away so it’s really convenient regardless of where you are in the city.

Amazing place to practice martial arts with a family atmosphere

I am a black bell karate dad and were looking for a karate center to put my 5 years old son. We went to different schools and I let my son decided on his own.
He both choose the Doc-​Fai wong martial arts center. This place is simply amazing for kids.
I really like the spirit of this center, many martial centers I’ve seen shows pictures of some bad guys ready to kill anyone who ever cross-​eye with them. I hate violence and don’t want to expose my son to it. Here, there’s absolutely no sign of violence or aggressivity. The instructors are simply amazing with kids, they really care for kids, all of them. They provide a very nice teaching balance between respect and hard work while having fun. The ratio instructor/​student is really good and that very often translate by having one instructor taking care of one kid only. There’s no better feeling as a parent to feel that you child received much interest and dedication from the instructors. My wife feel the same. Don’t take my word for it and check it by yourself.
I forget, kung fu is really nice, Maybe I should convert to it one day ! ;-)

Right when I started training at Doc-​Fai Wong Martial Arts Center I felt really welcome. Everyone there is very nice and friendly and its just an all around comfortable place to do my training. Me myself being into many different martial arts, i like the idea of being able to come to class early and hit the bag a bit and then start class. Grand Master Doc-​Fai Wong visits the studio quite often considering his reputation, and its exciting to be able to hear him give a speech every once in a while and being able to ask him questions.
The classes are great! Even after attending there for a year I can still take a class and do a workout or technique i haven’t done yet in a class opposed to other martial arts I’ve taken where its literally the same workout every day.
From being a student of this place for only a year I’ve greatly improved in flexibility, reaction, strength and speed. i would strongly recommend Doc-​Fai Wong Martial Arts Center to anybody and everybody.

I’ve been training in the federation for over a year now and recently relocated to San Francisco. I’ve visited Plum Blossom International Federation several times before starting my training there and I have to say this is the best school that I’ve trained at by far.
Plum Blossom provides a friendly atmosphere for children and adults to build confidence, energy levels, learn self-​defense, and more. I highly recommend visiting the school for yourself! :)

Great club, My son is there for two years and loves every second of it, he is trying to go every daysince he loves it so much. the people there are so friendly and doing amaizing job with the kids while teaching them so much. We did try other martial arts in the city in the past and were not happy. This is the best place for kids.

Best Chinese martial arts — Choy Li Fut –school. Grandmaster is very gifted and loyal to the original system. Instructors here are very good and knowledgable. Check it out, let them know your buddy david sent you:)

So you hate his acting, but you love his line and now like Keanu you
want to «know Kung Fu» too! Ok, so maybe we are not living in the Matrix, but there’s a reason why they choose Kung Fu as the operative word; KUNG FU KICKS A**. Well at least it is kicking mine. So now let’s get down to it! (P.S. They also do Tai Chi, it’s just not my thing)
1) Yes there is a «sash» (actually fringe) system, but it’s not a
«gimmick», it’s a goal to work towards! We like to be rewarded for our hard work and have something to show for it. It’s also an excellent way of knowing where you are and what you are aiming towards. But people are right, this it is not the way it is done China, so next time I am there, I will leave my fringe at home.
2) The instructors: Yes, the Grandmaster is not teaching at the school, but come on folks, this isn’t «Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow» and you’re no Jackie Chan. The instructors that do teach here, however, teach all different styles, they all have different personalities, and they all know what they are doing and want you to succeed! It was good to take a variety of classes to see which one fit my learning style the best. To be honest, I like going to them all because they each make me work differently, but some are more old school than others. Try them out and pick your favorite!
3) As an adult beginner: Ok, so I am not going to lie, it is not easy
AT FIRST. because the classes are ongoing, you kind of just jump in.
HOWEVER, the staff here are so willing to help that you will soon pick it right up. If you need to, just stay after and ask questions like I did. The best part about learning kung fu is that it challenges you physically and mentally so you really do feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when you stick with it.
4) Types of people in here: This really is like a family! Everyone is very friendly and fun. Depending on which classes you take you will see different people at different times, but soon you’ll be running into everyone.
So there you have it. If you are looking to get in shape, learn something new, challenge yourself, compete, make friends, or learn self-​defense (ok, may not against a gun in Hunter’s Point), then I would highly recommend Kung Fu and I would highly recommend checking out one of Doc Fai Wong’s Studios. I personally go to Plum Blossom and LOVE it. So come say hi and maybe we’ll play a little push hands.

After researching a number of different martial arts programs for my family. I decided to try out Doc-​Fai, since their gentle yet firm approach to working with little ones seemed like the right fit for us.
It was. I couldn’t be happier with the program. They were very open to having us sit in and watch a few sessions to warm up to the notion of «participating» and once we got over that hump, it’s been easy street ever since. There are quite a few kids that attend the school and it’s been fun to watch them grow with the program.

More than a handful of years ago, I sought a Gung Fu program that had purity of the art form as well as a friendly program for my then kindergardener. Though I am not a participant I spend a lot of time here waiting around for my son to finish his class over the course of now many years. This school is led by a legend of Choy Li Fut and the lineage is well known and followed in the teaching. The Grandmaster Doc Fi Wong drops in sporadically just to see how things are going, but the classes are mostly taught by advanced instructors who have studied here for years-​many of the instructors are volunteers who dedicate their time after their day jobs! Here you will know the style, lineage and application (historic and present) of the art form, taught in a friendly approachable format and atmosphere.

I have been studying Kung Fu in San Diego for many years and have had the opportunity to participate in several seminars and tournaments offered by the Doc-​Fai Wong Martial Arts Center. These are simply the best around.
The real life practical application of the training combined with the historical ties and proven methods give the training a value unmatched by anyone.
I can guarantee you that if I lived closer this would be home base for my training. I encourage anyone to check it out for themselves. You won’t be disappointed.

@Seung Hung Y — Your comment is not only ignorant, it is banal. To juxtapose a world renowned kung fu artist such as Doc-​Fai Wong with a wannabe is absurd.
As an adult, I willingly travel to the SF studio as often as possible to train. Unlike most martial artists (including the other one mentioned) who purport to be black-​belts and stop training as soon as they start teaching, DFW constantly trains and learns more to provide greater depth to his instruction.
The comparison you make is on a superficial level as if comparing burger king with mcdonalds. For you, that may be all you can make sense of. For those of us who want to train with the best, we recognize the difference; and it is substantial!

Tat Wong Kung Fu and Doc Fai are the same: The Head Teacher is never present. It’s a load of crap to hear the marketing gimmicks you get while standing around for the last 5 minutes waiting for class to adjourn.
Good for kids, bad for adults.
Black belt = no such thing in Chinese martial arts. It’s a sales gimmick.

After a year of waiting for the Muni every morning in front of Doc-​Fai Wong Center and perusing their countless medals and photos in the window display, I finally decided to try it out ($ 15 for your first two classes, amazing deal!)
Initially, I was intimidated because I have no background in martial arts. After my first two classes, I signed up for the 6-​week summer program. It has been a wonderful experience. The instructors are professional, approachable, and motivational. They give supportive and constructive feedback in order for each student to achieve his or her best. My classmates are equally supportive and helpful. I walk away from each class feeling refreshed, energized, and more focused. When I told my instructors that I plan to move to Southern California, they helped me look for a Kung Fu school there so I can continue my studies.
Bottom line — whether you are looking for a place to help you get in shape, to learn something new, or to begin your long-​term study of Choy Li Fut Kung Fu, this is the place to go. You will not be disappointed.

I have trained at martial arts schools before, and while most are run like gyms with little focus on the person behind the art, this one takes you as a whole into account. When I first visited the school, the instructor who met me radiated a peaceful energy, he was friendly, and made you feel instantly comfortable. They offer intro courses for a such a low price, that I was able to go in, take a couple of classes, and really see if the system, the school, and the people were a good fit for me personally. All the instructors have been there or in the federation under the Grandmaster Doc Fai Wong for many years. Needless to say, learning from such well-​taught and dedicated people makes you strive for excellence in yourself. Doc Fai Wong himself is well-​known and much respected in the martial arts system and in San Francisco. Having someone like him drop in on your classes or stop you to give you pointers is an absolute honor. Where else would you find such a rich lineage, instructors with a deep history in the art, and the actual Grandmaster all there at one school? If you’re serious about learning Kung Fu, this is by far the school for you!

I walked by and rode past Doc Fei Wong’s martial arts center on the L for a good year before one day stopping and grabbing a pamphlet on the outer door to check it out. If you have ever wanted to learn Choy Li Fut or Tai Chi this is the place to do it. Incredibly talented, sociable and patient instructors and an amazingly friendly and helpful group of students is what you’ll find.
I’m learning Yang style Tai Chi and in case you were curious what that’s all about, yes it is martial. It’s also an incredible workout; a quick Google search told me that an hour of Tai Chi’s controlled movements burns the same amount of calories as an hour of surfing (I surf, for the record, and can vouch for that one) and that it falls just short of calories burned while downhill skying. Classes are done in groups and are started with Chi Gung exercises which are a combination of warm up stretches and chi gathering. Afterward we do standing meditation for a few minutes and then group forms, followed by more broken down individual level forms.
The overwhelming atmosphere inside is that of respect; for the history and the tradition, and for one another. A must try if you’ve ever been curious.

The Doc Fai Wong Martial Arts Center in San Francisco has it all! History, philosophy and kicking kung fu technique! The school is expertly guided by world famous Kung Fu and Tai Chi teacher Grandmaster Doc Fai Wong. Grandmaster Wong is a living legend in the world of martial arts. Voted Kung Fu Artist of the Year in 1991 and Inside Kung Fu Instructor of the Year in 2007, Grandmaster Wong is also a member of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame! In fact, Grandmaster Wong was one of the first legitimate Kung Fu Masters to begin teaching non-​Chinese in the late 1960’s.
Weather you are interested in Kung Fu or Tai Chi for health, self defense or pure art, then the Doc Fai Wong Martial Arts Center in San Francisco is the place for you!

Like other students, I wanted to do martial arts for some time. When I finally got up to nerve to look for a place a train, I came across Doc-​Fai Wong in the phone book. I called the studio and made an appointment for an intro class. The instructor for my class was very knowledgeable and patient with me. After the class, I looked around the studio, asked some questions about the training and I was sold. My gut feeling told me that this was the place for me.
Grand master has been in teaching in SF for 40 years and the instructors are wealth of information and the best part is they are want to share the information with their students. The studio is essentailly a living museum and the intstrutors aree your guides.
When I go to the studio it’s like going to my second home and I consider all of the instructors to be my family. Deciding to attend the Doc-​Fai Wong was the best thing I could have done for myself. If you are looking for a place to train, stop by the studio and take an introductory class.

In my opinion this is THE PLACE to study Choy Li Fut.
Amazing instructors and classes. Better than any gym.
Highly recommended.

Grandmaster Wong is one of the most renown Choy Li Fut practitioners in the world. People come from around the world to seek out GM Wong and his teachings. It has taken me a few years to realize what a luxury it is to have someone with his knowledge in my back yard. GM Wong’s expertise is translated through the high caliber of extremely knowledgeable and talented instructors you encounter at this school.
The school has an overall expertise in the Choy Li Fut style of Kung Fu, Yang style Tai Chi, and offers acupuncture. If you are curious about the Choy Li Fut style of Kung Fu, instructors would me more than willing to explain, but it is a fairly complete style that incorporates Southern boxing with Northern footwork, has over 30 weapons, and integrates ground fighting and internal energy applications into the intermediate curriculum.
The vibe of this school is a compromise between a business belt factory that you see often in Martial Arts schools and the old school discipleship’s of Chinatown. The strengths of this school are the instructors, GM Wong;s knowledge, and you must wear shoes to class. The drawbacks are that it can be a bit costly and that you really only get to deal with Grandmaster after you have proved yourself for years.
If you want to learn from people that are extremely knowledgeable about Martial Arts, and teach application and self defense in a disciplined environment, then I recommend Grandmaster Wong’s school. If you want to learn kick-​boxing or prove your inner Ralph Macchio by breaking boards, there are other schools in SF that are better focused in that area for you.